China might helps backing our news industry

出自香港新聞網 - 樹仁新傳系學生實習習作

The growth of mainland visitors coming to Hong Kong will not only boost our tourism but also help lift the newspaper industry, said Ngai Kai Kwong, chief editor of Sing Pao Daily News.

According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, there were about 48.6 million visitors arrived in Hong Kong last year, out of which nearly 35 million of them are mainlanders, and counted for 72% of all visitors.

“China owns a few billion of people, and now they are allowed to visit Hong Kong freely. Even if there is just a few bites of them coming in, this would contribute a lot and could definitely help the growth of the newspaper industry,” said Ngai, at a seminar in the Hong Kong Shue Yan University yesterday.

“I see no difficulties in operating a newspaper. Corporates and firms in China invest a lot on promotional campaigns; they could spend millions on one single advertising project,” claimed Ngai, “it would be really beneficial for our company if we advertise for them, and I believe this type of business co-author could help boost the news industry forward.”

Ngai did not deny when it was said that Sing Pao, a Hong Kong based newspaper since 1939, is becoming more “Chinalized” as it is reporting more Chinese news and is using simplified Chinese in its website.

“I think that people are more aware of and interested in the news happening in China. We have a head office in Guang Zhou, China, which gives us advantage in reporting mainland news. Every newspaper has its own character, and doing Chinese news is definitely our strength.”